Sisilia Spends It Well Now That She's Tried (1)
Edward was at his desk in the office early that morning, as always, handling his duties.
"Hmm, good call supporting the Magic Tower's R&D. To think they'd rake in this much."
The Windsor Knights' budget was on par with a major territory's annual funds. With that scale, the vice-captain's role wasn't just spending—it involved investments too. Of course, since his vice-captain only knew how to swing a sword, Captain Edward was handling it all himself. His workload had doubled, but Edward didn't mind.
...On the contrary, considering Sisilia's disastrous grasp of money, doing it himself was a relief.
But—still, the tasks were overwhelming. Edward sighed at the towering stack of papers. A knight order captain's duties went beyond budgets. The Windsor Knights covered the entire Liannen Empire. And now, with deployment to the Eldrashon Empire, the work piled up daily.
'At this rate, paperwork will kill me before the Demon King does.'
Each task was too weighty to delegate fully; they required his judgment.
'Prioritize the budget first. If I hustle, I can tackle imperial matters by month's end.'
Money had to keep rolling—you couldn't slack even a moment. Edward spread out documents to scout investments. The first to catch his eye: "Mine Canal Development Report." Not thrilling, but stable returns made it appealing.
"I don't think that's a good idea."
"......"
Edward quietly lifted his head at the delicate voice.
"Because developing canals doubles transport speed, so the mines wear out twice as fast."
Sisilia was already peering intently at the report.
"......How'd you get in?"
Sisilia pointed at the window like it was obvious.
Edward closed his eyes. "A mere vice-captain shouldn't be hopping through windows."
"That's the captain's fault for poor window security."
Edward sighed. "What's your business?"
Sisilia saluted from a distance. "Here to report."
Her face was as innocently bright as ever. Edward realized his initial plot—"Corrupt Sisilia"—had failed.
'......You always defy my expectations.'
Was it luck she hadn't witnessed the eastern horrors? Had her brilliant mind ended the war without killing? He'd pondered it briefly—but no. The reports confirmed it: Sisilia's kill count was far from low.
She'd clearly witnessed humanity's self-made atrocities and cleaned them up herself. It just wasn't enough to plunge her into gloom. Instead, she'd drenched that grim scene in her own colors.
'My defeat this time.'
Yet it was odd. Despite the plan's utter failure, Edward's mood wasn't that bad.
'But I won't lose next time.'
He vowed it, staring at Sisilia's oblivious face. Someday, he'd strip away her mercy. Simple reason: it was an overwhelming gain for the Liannen Empire—or so he firmly believed.
"It better be one hell of a report. Enough to offset breaking into the captain's office."
As Edward smiled faintly, Sisilia replied instantly.
"Sisilia, hereby granted full financial authority over the Windsor Knights starting today."
Edward flashed a cold smile. He closed his eyes briefly, propped his chin, and eyed her like a goldfish.
"Don't lie."
Sisilia grinned and showed the imperial edict. It bore words that should never have been written.
Sisilia Windsor is hereby granted full financial authority over the Windsor Knights Order.
Edward rose silently. "Excuse me a moment. Need to step out."
"Take your time."
And he bolted madly for the palace.
**
"What madness is this?"
Lydia couldn't scold her fool of a son for barging in and acting rude before the empress. Instead, she awkwardly averted her gaze, desperately avoiding eye contact.
"Sisilia's money sense is shattered."
Edward saw nothing but red. Hand finances to her? Hilarious joke. He'd laugh all day—if it weren't his problem.
"You agreed budgets were off-limits for her, Your Majesty!"
Edward huffed, barely containing his fury.
"Revoke it now if you don't want the Windsor Knights bankrupt."
He meant every word.
"Have you even imagined her 'investing,' Your Majesty?"
The mere thought tormented him; he clutched his hair.
"She can't even manage her allowance. You're handing national funds to a kid with a six-year-old's mentality."
Pfft, Sisilia-nyang isn't that bad... Lydia chuckled awkwardly at the exaggeration. But Edward, who'd seen her up close, knew better. Sisilia was a wall even Chiron couldn't top. He was certain: hand her the budget, and the Knights would be the world's poorest in a month, not a year.
"No need to fret."
Lydia spoke gravely. As empress ruling a nation, she didn't decide state matters lightly.
"......Just in case, the imperial treasury's stockpiling gold feverishly."
She was already prepping to clean up Sisilia's inevitable mess.
**
Surprisingly, Edward backed off cleanly after that. Not just imperial fiat—he owed Sisilia too much.
"Lost gold can be squeezed from neighbors, but her achievements are priceless. Fair point."
In short: whatever mess she made, he'd handle it. Her past feats made screw-ups mere cuteness.
"......Workload drops big-time, though. Clear the backlog now."
Resigned from rage to acceptance, Edward settled quietly at his desk.
But contrary to worries, Sisilia had no intent to squander the budget.
"I don't get why everyone's so concerned."
"......You have a conscience?"
She wasn't irresponsible. Quite the opposite—a splendid vice-captain bearing heavy duty in her petite chest.
"Sisilia takes responsibility for the Windsor Knights' budget. No need to worry."
She clasped her hands, face deadly serious—even tying back her battle-loose hair.
......Separately, she looked convincing at the vice-captain's desk.
Beatrice slumped her shoulders. "......Saying that while browsing luxury dresses kills your credibility."
"......"
Sisilia paused, speechless. But soon found a fine excuse and beamed.
"Helping small businesses is a vice-captain's virtue."
"......Doubt it. And that's the empire's top luxury brand. You're filthy rich already."
"......"
Sisilia was sharp. Her keen mind deemed this topic unfavorable—and pivoted.
"Budget review complete: not enough for what I want."
Beatrice, her adjutant, grasped the scale too.
......Beyond imagination. Already vast, plus Edward's insane management: gold piled like mountains.
......Yet what required more?
"Where to spend so even the goddess hears?"
Beatrice eyed Sisilia pondering, chin in hand. Her thoughts were already extraordinary. Who even thinks of reaching the goddess via spending?
"A question."
"Shoot."
Beatrice asked shakily. "If I advise against it... will you listen?"
Sisilia beamed. "I'll hear you out."
**
"Sisilia, leave my salary at least! Please, I beg you!"
"Mine too! Pretty please, Sisilia!"
"C-can you sign this incentive quick? Please please please."
The Windsors were extra beggy today. Sisilia genuinely didn't get it.
'Why this reaction?'
A cute, kind Sword Princess handling budget beat stingy lolicon villain Edward, right?
"Betty. One thing bugs me."
"Yes?"
"Why so many escorts around me?"
Even when she moved, elite Windsors—rivals to Lydia's guard—trailed her.
"'Cause you're vice-captain. Lihaton—block that approaching merchant."
"??"
Sisilia pondered gravely. Am I that unreliable...?
Sure, some "waste"(?) planned, but all for humanity's history.
'No choice. Too much suspicion—time to show a glimpse of my skill.'
She couldn't pursue her goals like this. Sisilia knew proving it fastest.
"Betty. To the slums."
"Sl-slums? No evacuation alert yet."
"......Why evacuate for me going?"
Anyway, in the slums, Sisilia scanned around.
'......Grim place.'
Shanties everywhere, terrified faces pitiful. But fine. Smiles would bloom on those faces soon.
Sisilia spotted a clearing and pointed.
"Betty, dig this plot."
"Pardon? Oh, right..."
Beatrice grabbed a trowel and crouched. Sisilia blinked in pure bafflement.
"No—mobilize all Magic Tower mages. Diameter roughly fifteen Bettys?"
"Wh-why? That's insane cost!"
"Because......"
Sisilia turned dramatically, words done. Her cape fluttered at perfect angle.
"A massive mana stone deposit sleeps below."
"!"
—What Sisilia wants always happens.
Hyter's words flashed in Beatrice's mind. True—Sisilia's words always became reality.
......No matter how absurd.
So trusting her was an adjutant's duty, right?
"Understood."
Beatrice saluted Sisilia's back. Called Magic Tower mages, rallied slumfolk, started construction.
Soon, results came.
'Cliché, but unavoidable.'
Sisilia already knew. As this world's protagonist, digging yielded oil—common sense.
Now, splash mana stones and spend wildly...
"......Nothing here."
Sisilia blinked. Ten seconds later, shock widened her eyes.
"Wh-what...?"
"That's my line!"
Thus, financial authority Day 1: Sisilia's mega-project flopped spectacularly.
Damage: roughly 20,000 gold.
~200 billion KRW. More than Chiron's ten-year salary.